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This year end marks a banner year of accomplishment in the district, with substantial investment on West Colfax, visible in form of construction projects a both completed and underway, as well as master developer in exclusive negotiations for the St Anthony's site. After years of lobbying and planning, our section of West Colfax now has on-street parking. The BID is also nearly complete with improvements to the streetscape. We have successfully promoted energy efficiency installations across the corridor in more than 20 businesses, saving an average 15% in energy costs. In recognition of these projects, the BID won the Governor's Award for best sustainable downtown project in Colorado.
This this progress was made possible through the commitment, dedication and leadership of the BID board, particularly Jim Hannifin. After five years as president, and prior to that countless hours devoted to advocating and laying the groundwork for the BID's formation, Jim stepped down as president in November. His foresight, leadership and determination laid the foundation for the progress we now see. There is no better example of this than the battle the BID waged for on-street parking. When everyone else assumed these changes to the roadway to improve pedestrian conditions would be impossible, Jim led the BID as we protested, cajoled and in the end won a commitment from the city and CDOT to install parking. As a result, safe on-street parking is now available 24 hours a day on West Colfax. As with parking, Jim's leadership has played an instrumental role in a host of BID priorities, from attracting private development to ensuring St Anthony's maintains its commitment to provide health care to the neighborhood. We look forward to Jim's continuing leadership and counsel in his current capacity as board member.
Looking ahead, 2012 should be another active year for the district. West End Lofts will be complete in the spring. Also this spring, the new library project will be breaking ground. We are also looking forward to participating in master planning for the St Anthony's site over the course of the year. Finally, look for more art in the district as the BID partners with 40 West Arts, the new West Colfax arts district.
Thank you all for your support. Businesses merit a special thanks for their patience this fall as multiple R-O-W projects progressed. We can now take stock of the changes to the street, as well as look forward to one more addition: the sculptures due for installation in the new medians next week.
Happy Holidays,
Dan Shah
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